Teens Turn to AI for Advice, Friendship, and Easy Answers

The Growing Role of AI in Teen Life

For Kayla Chege, a 15-year-old high school student in Kansas, artificial intelligence is more than just a tool—it’s a part of her daily life. She uses it for everything from back-to-school shopping to choosing makeup colors and even planning her Sweet 16 party. While she avoids using AI for homework, she often turns to it for simple, everyday questions.

Chege is not alone. Many teenagers are increasingly turning to AI as if it were a companion, seeking advice, emotional support, and even friendship. This trend has sparked concern among experts and educators, who worry about the long-term effects of relying on AI for personal and social interactions.

AI as a Digital Companion

According to a new study by Common Sense Media, over 70% of teens have used AI companions, with half using them regularly. These platforms, such as Character.AI or Replika, are designed to act as “digital friends,” offering emotional support and conversation that can feel human-like. However, even tools like ChatGPT and Claude, which primarily answer questions, are being used in similar ways.

The availability and accessibility of AI make it an appealing choice for many teens. Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old from Arkansas, notes that AI is always available, never judgmental, and always willing to listen. “When you’re talking to AI, you are always right,” he says. But as he prepares to head to college, Nair is stepping back from AI use after witnessing how it affected a friend’s relationship.

Concerns About Emotional Dependency

Nair’s experience highlights a growing concern: the potential for AI to replace real human relationships. A high school friend relied on an AI companion to write a breakup message, leading to the end of a two-year relationship. “It felt a little bit dystopian,” Nair said. “It’s almost like we are allowing computers to replace our relationships with people.”

The study also found that 31% of teens reported their conversations with AI companions were as satisfying or more satisfying than those with real friends. Despite this, 33% of teens had discussed serious issues with AI instead of real people. Michael Robb, lead author of the study, warns that this trend could have significant implications for youth development.

Risks and Challenges

Adolescence is a critical time for developing identity, social skills, and independence. Robb emphasizes that AI companions should complement, not replace, real-world interactions. He warns that if teens rely too heavily on AI, they may not develop the necessary social skills to navigate real-life situations.

Common Sense Media conducted a risk assessment of popular AI platforms and found issues such as ineffective age restrictions, the potential to produce harmful content, and the risk of giving dangerous advice. The organization recommends that minors avoid using AI companions.

Impact on Mental Health and Social Skills

Researchers and educators are concerned about the cognitive costs of heavy AI reliance, especially in areas like creativity, critical thinking, and social skills. The emotional attachment some teens form with AI has raised alarms, particularly after a 14-year-old boy in Florida died by suicide following an emotional bond with a Character.AI chatbot.

Eva Telzer, a psychology and neuroscience professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, notes that parents are largely unaware of this trend. “All of us are struck by how quickly this blew up,” she said. Her research shows that children as young as 8 are using generative AI, and teens are using it for companionship and exploring their sexuality.

The Future of AI in Teen Life

Arkansas teen Bruce Perry, 17, uses AI daily for tasks like essay outlines and proofreading. He admits that he often turns to AI before reaching for a pencil. While he feels fortunate that AI wasn’t around when he was younger, he worries about the impact on future generations.

“I could see a kid that grows up with AI not seeing a reason to go to the park or try to make a friend,” Perry said. Other teens agree that the effects of AI on mental health are different from those of social media. As one teen put it, “AI complements another need that runs a lot deeper—our need for attachment and our need to feel emotions.”

With AI becoming more integrated into daily life, the question remains: How will this technology shape the next generation? For now, the conversation continues, with experts urging caution and parents seeking ways to understand and guide their children in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.